Features & Configuration: CEC Display Management

Overview

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) allows the FLEX Matrix to send power and input commands to connected HDMI displays without requiring a separate control system or RS-232 connection to each display. CEC commands travel over the HDMI cable itself — the same connection used for video.

What CEC Enables on the FLEX Matrix

• Auto power-on: When a source is routed to an output, the FLEX chassis sends a CEC power-on command to the connected display.
• Auto power-off: When no source is routed to an output (or on scheduled event), the FLEX sends a CEC standby command to the display.
• Input switching: The FLEX sends a CEC active source command, switching the display to the correct HDMI input automatically.
• System-wide power control: Power on or off all displays simultaneously via a single command — ideal for morning startup and end-of-day shutdown sequences.

CEC Requirements

• Display must support HDMI CEC (often marketed under brand names: Samsung Anynet+, LG SimpLink, Sony Bravia Sync, Vizio SmartCast, etc.)
• CEC must be enabled in the display’s settings menu — it is sometimes disabled by default
• HDMI cable must support CEC pin 13 — standard HDMI cables are compliant; some low-cost cables omit this pin
• CEC applies to HDMI outputs (FLEX-HDMI12OUT) only — not CATx outputs (FLEX-CAT12OUT)

Configuration

1. In the FLEX web GUI, navigate to Output Settings.
2. Select the HDMI output port.
3. Enable CEC Control for that port.
4. Configure the CEC behavior:
   • Power On with Signal: Display powers on when video is routed to this output.
   • Power Off with No Signal: Display enters standby when the output is unrouted.
   • Input Select: Display automatically switches to the HDMI input connected to this output port.
5. Test by routing and unrouting a source to the output and verifying display response.

CEC Limitations

• CEC behavior varies by display manufacturer — some displays implement CEC incompletely or non-standardly
• CEC power-on latency varies (typically 2–10 seconds depending on display)
• Not all CEC commands are supported by all displays — test with your specific display model before deployment
• For guaranteed display control, use RS-232 or IP control via a KanexPro control processor alongside CEC

CEC vs. RS-232 Display Control

Related Articles

• Network Setup: IP Control & Management
• Product Guide: Flex Chassis
• Troubleshooting & FAQ: Flex Matrix